'What a great idea,' said Frank, upon my mentioning a combined road trip for our Anniversary and Thanksgiving AND Jaxson's first birthday.

Eleven years ago we were married on the beach at sunset in Sanibel, Florida. We returned there for anniversaries on your 1 and 2, and then began enjoying other locations the following years.

When, this year, an invitation to celebrate Thanksgiving with my youngest son, Jaret and his family, was extended to us -- we couldn't resist the offer. Not only was it a combined birthday for his son and my grandson, Jaxson, who was turning 1 year old -- it was also Thanksgiving weekend. So, we pushed back our anniversary a week - made reservations for Periwinkle RV Park in Sanibel - and began prep and travel to that location for 4 days with the plan to go to Jaret's which was 45 minutes up the road for an extended Thanksgiving weekend too.

So, off we went down that ole dusty trail across the state to the west coast of FL looking for warmer weather during this cold front.

Trip map

Crossing the Sanibel Bridge from Ft. Myers. Almost there.

We love Periwinkle Park -- more year-rounds than traveling RVs making it nice and quaint. Parrots, monkeys, and geese kept a lively and energetic atmosphere.

We enjoyed the park, but we also went into Ft. Myers and down to Naples while there -- enjoying the holiday preparation and the Christmas festivities being planned.

The only down side - up side was a quick trip to ER to meet Jaret and Casey as Jaxson had swallowed something and was having difficulty breathing. We were glad to be only 15 minutes away from the ER so we could be support and sit with them during Jaxson's scoping. After much adieu, he was anesthetized and finding a little tip of a clementine embedded already in his left lung left us all unnerved but happy for the successful surgery.

Each of us returned to our daytime rituals until meeting again for Thanksgiving. Was so nice to be close.

Our Anniversary date in the sand where we stood to be married. 11-11-14

We went to the beach at sunset -- exactly where we were married and marked the spot. Then rambled into Captiva's darling chapel for a mock-renewal of our vows. Didn't really renew, but took a moment to remember and the chapel was the perfect spot.

Frank fixed a special dinner using our new grill for the first time. The weather outside was delightful -- our new lights and settings made it very romantic and charming. I'm a lucky woman.

First Nigh Using Our New Grill and Frank fixed anniversary dinner.

After several enjoyable days there -- it was time to head to Jaret's for the birthday party and Thanksgiving Family Gathering. Very excited that Mark and his family and Jenna and her hubby were all coming in for the feast. Jaret is a wonderful cook and we were ready for this first time to be together in a long time.

The birthday over and moving into Thanksgiving Day - Jenna and her Mark got there early to spend the day ... so we had a little girl time, feast, play, and then it was all over and everyone headed home. We are so grateful for Jaret and Casey for hosting everyone and to gather despite the long periods of time we miss out.

It was so good seeing everyone thriving and doing their life the best they can -- meeting only once in a while is certainly not enough -- but we take what we can get. We are thankful and grateful to have spent the time with everyone one of the family. The Carters, The Rogers, The Lewins, The Cains ... a blessed weekend.

We were almost complete except for Michael -- my middle son ... who stayed in Atlanta due to commitments -- but I held space for him in my heart and mind and felt the merging of all of us together.